Megan made a decision.
“May I come to the funeral?” she asked quietly.
Cindy pulled away just enough to be able to meet Megan’s eyes. Her own eyes were red and watery and Megan thought it was a good thing Cindy wasn’t wearing any makeup because by now she’d look like a raccoon.
“Of course you can come,” Cindy said. “I would never deny you the chance to say goodbye to her.” She swallowed and looked down at her hands. “I was hoping you’d come. But don’t worry. You don’t have to speak to me or even acknowledge me while you’re there. I get it.”
“Shut up about that for now,” Megan ordered, pulling Cindy close again. “You’re going through a horrible time in your life. Even I’m not that big of an asshole to try to make it about our breakup.”
Cindy sniffled. “I honestly didn’t think you would but...well, thanks.”
After another while had passed, Cindy said, “Your plants are doing great,” referring to Megan’s impressive collection of houseplants in the room. “Where’s the ficus, though?”
Megan took a deep breath before answering.
“I gave it to Mrs. Morton two doors down. You remember...she has, like, a jungle in her sewing room.”
Megan felt Cindy stiffen.
“But I gave you that one. When you got that promotion.”
Yeah, you gave me that one, but I dare you to find anything in this house anymore that would remind me of you.
Instead, she stroked Cindy’s hair and said softly but firmly. “Hush. Priorities, remember? Stop thinking about stuff that isn’t important. Now do what I say. Drink your tea and just sit here.”
Chapter 6
“How long was she there?” Abby asked the next night, eyes that were wide as dinner plates on Megan as Megan drove east on the 78 towards Vista where Angela and Desiree lived.
“About an hour; maybe less.”
She had just told her best friend about Cindy’s visit the evening before.
“That’s a long time!”
“What? Did you not hear me? I said it was about an hour!”
“But you loathe that woman! I loathe that woman! Five minutes is more than she deserves.”
“Jesus, Abs, her Mom died! And Carole meant something to me too. You would have done the same thi
ng.”
Abby shrugged. “I guess.” Then her brow creased as a thought came to her. She leaned forward against her seatbelt and examined Megan’s face. “Tell me you did not have grief sex with her!”
Megan’s startled reaction made her veer slightly into the next lane, earning her a honk from a minivan.
“What? Grief sex? Is that even a thing?”
“Um...hello! Of course it’s a thing. It could even be considered an upside to someone dying. Remember Hannah? When her uncle died we had some incred—”
“I don’t wanna know!” Megan said.
“Anyway, nice deflection, Miss Baldwin. Answer the question.”
Megan rolled her eyes.
“No, we did not have grief sex, stupid. But...”